The
interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber; a crypt immediately
below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the
graves of other royal family members.
In the center are the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's
cenotaph is to the left and is higher than that of his beloved, which rests
immediately below the dome.
The cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal stands in the center of the marble screen, it has
inscribed on it in Persian with texts from the Koran.
The cenotaph of Mumtaz has the single epitaph inscribed on it- "Marqad
Munavvar Arjumand Bano Begum Mukhatib bah Mumtaz Mahal Tanifiyat fer sanh 1040
Hijri" (Here lies Arjumand Bano Begum called Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1040
A.H. or 1630 A.D. Above the tombs is a Cairene lamp, the flame of which is supposed
to never burn out.
Marble screen of trelliswork surrounds the graves. Both tombs are exquisitely
inlaid with semiprecious stones. The acoustics of the building are superb with
the domed ceiling being designed to echo chants from Koran and musician's melodies.
Taj Mahal Interior, Taj Mahal Tourism Inquiry / Reservation Form
The
interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber; a crypt immediately
below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the
graves of other royal family members.